The Provost, Charkin Maritime Academy (CMA), Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Dr. Egben Okore has given reasons why those who are interested in quality maritime education should choose the school.
Describing CMA as a maritime education and training institution where world- class training have been brought to the doorstep of Nigerians, Okore told Maritime Bits in a chat over the weekend that the school has what he called “well-seasoned, experienced educators, administrators and an array of simulators, modern library, engineering laboratories, workshops and other training equipment” to deliver what qualitative maritime education and training to Nigerian merchant Navy cadets.
He averred that CMA has a mission to provide a veritable platform that will enable cadets participate productively in a changing global maritime industry and beyond.
The Provost revealed that the school is accredited by the National Board Technical Education (NBTE) to offer two programmes, namely National Diploma in Nautical Science and National Diploma in Marine Engineering.
According to him, successful completion of each of the programmes leads to the award of National Diploma in Nautical Science or Marine Engineering in the first instance, as the case may be. Subsequently, it provides the basis for the students to go on board the ship for the phase II twelve (12) months mandatory sea experience scheme and eligibility to take part in the Certificate of Competency (CoC) preparatory programme and qualifying examinations.
Continuing, Okore said: “For those seeking admission into higher institution of learning for the 2021/2022 academic year, there are many factors and variables that needs to be considered. Top amongst these factors are the quality of academic and other activities delivered by the institution to her students and her uniqueness as an institution of higher learning in whatever category she finds herself.
“Charkin Maritime Academy apart from bringing world class maritime education and training to the doorstep of Nigerian school leavers is unique in many ways. It is situated in an easily accessible location by air and road from any part of Nigeria. Besides the fact that it is a private and regimented maritime institution, there are no strikes by staff, extortion of students by lecturers, cultism, sex for marks or money for marks or other such vices. CMA is one of the few institutions of higher education in Nigeria where the duo of Nautical Science and Marine Engineering have been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
It has an array of training simulators that no other higher institution in Nigeria can boast off, located in the main campus for the practical training of the students.
Its campus is located in a serene environment secured by perimeter fence, strategically mounted surveillance cameras, a detachment of the Nigerian Police force on watch 24/7 and a very active security network”.
Okore noted that it was the wish of every Merchant Navy cadet to graduate from school as at when due, and go on board ship for the mandatory Phase II sea service.
He noted that CMA is known to support this as the only maritime academy in Nigeria and one of the few academies across the globe that has the capacity to put cadets on board ships after graduation from the institution.
“This feat has been made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between CMA and a foreign shipping company with over 600 ships under her management, to put cadets on board after training in the academy, thus ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted Merchant Navy programme”, he added.
Okore explained that any student who chooses to study in CMA stands a very good chance of his or her sponsorship being taken over by a shipping company together with subsequent offer of employment.
He enjoined students to enroll into CMA for what he called a “rewarding and exciting career as a merchant Navy Officer
